A fiercely contested and often ugly NFL encounter between the historic rivals, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, was marred by serious injuries and contentious hits, culminating in a dramatic overtime finish.
Controversial Blindside Hit Sets Ugly Tone
The game's physicality escalated early when a dangerous incident involving Bears wide receiver DJ Moore went unpunished. During the first quarter, Moore was running a crossing route through the middle of the field, focusing on quarterback Caleb Williams to receive the pass.
As Moore looked back for the ball, Packers defensive back Keisan Nixon lined him up and delivered a heavy blow directly to his blind side. The receiver was completely defenseless, yet officials threw no penalty flag and Nixon was not ejected from the contest.
The hit forced Moore to leave the field temporarily for assessment, depleting a Bears receiving corps already missing star players Rome Odunze and Luther Burden due to injury. Fans on social media platform X were quick to condemn the play, with one stating, 'How is that not a penalty? Super dirty hit on DJ Moore completely away from the play.'
Quarterback Injuries Compound the Chaos
The physical toll continued later in the first half, this time affecting the Packers. Quarterback Jordan Love took a hit to his helmet before smacking his head on the ground. The veteran signal-caller was immediately removed from the game and evaluated for a head injury.
He was officially ruled out with a concussion, leaving backup Malik Willis to step in and help maintain a 6-0 lead until halftime. Love's status was listed as questionable following the game.
Moore's Redemption Seals Dramatic Overtime Win
Despite the early scare, DJ Moore returned to the field and ultimately played the hero. After the hard-fought battle stretched into overtime, Moore made an incredible catch for a game-winning touchdown.
His clutch play secured a 22-16 victory for the Chicago Bears, providing a measure of personal and team redemption after the brutal hit he endured earlier in the contest. The win underscored the team's resilience in overcoming key absences and on-field adversity.
